Table of Contents
Globally, over five billion videos are watched on YouTube every single day. The platform maintains its popularity with users spending around 40 minutes per session viewing videos.
Additionally, two out of three prospective buyers check out YouTube videos before purchasing a product or service. Given this digital trend, learning how to earn money on YouTube is a smart move. With just a computer and video editing software, you can start creating content on the platform.
For instance, Ryan’s Toy Review has earned an astonishing $22 million by simply playing with and taking apart toys. What’s impressive is that this income comes from just having fun and showcasing gadgets. Considering how much YouTubers are making—often substantial sums—it’s no surprise that many want to jump into the game.
Making money on YouTube is no longer reserved for a select few celebrities or major influencers. Everyday individuals now have numerous opportunities to monetize their channels. However, success requires strategic planning.
In this article, I will outline various methods to start earning from YouTube this year. Let’s dive in.
Disclaimer: I earn affiliate commissions from some links below at no extra cost to you. These are the tools I have personally tested and found most effective for making money on YouTube. Read our full affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy.
How to Make Money on YouTube
While generating significant income from your YouTube channel is possible, it’s also challenging. Every minute, about 500 hours of video are uploaded worldwide, illustrating the intense competition. As a result, earning a lot of money online can be quite tough.
Here are some powerful strategies to help you boost your earnings from YouTube.
1. YouTube Monetization: Promote Affiliate Links
Sharing affiliate links can be a lucrative approach, especially for channels that produce detailed tutorials or honest product reviews. If a viewer clicks your link and makes a purchase, you’ll earn a commission. You can include these links early in your description and mention them in your videos.
Using affiliate links on YouTube closely resembles sharing them on your blog. Whether you’re blogging or creating videos, avoid overloading your content with affiliate links solely for money. Instead, focus on making your content valuable and unique so viewers see it as exclusive. Remember, your audience is more likely to trust and follow your recommendations if they see you as a credible resource.
Building trust with your viewers is essential for growing your subscriber base. Offer solutions to common issues, create helpful tutorials, and share personal experiences to strengthen your credibility. There are numerous affiliate programs available, and you can join multiple through networks like Shareasale or Awin.
To maximize revenue, consider pairing your YouTube efforts with a blog. Monetizing both channels—adhering to YouTube’s policies—allows you to earn from videos and your website simultaneously. A good starting point for creating a blog is web hosting from Bluehost, which is officially recommended for WordPress sites. You can read my full Bluehost review here.
Getting started with Bluehost involves visiting their website, choosing a hosting plan (as low as $2.95/month with my link), registering a domain, and completing the signup process. You can skip unnecessary add-ons and launch your blog in minutes.
2. Join the YouTube Partner Program and Monetize Video Ads
For…
(Please provide the remaining text if you’d like me to continue with the second method or any other parts.)Many YouTubers rely heavily on ads as their primary income source on the platform.
As a YouTube Partner, you can earn money through various methods including ads played before your videos, channel memberships, or displaying Google AdSense banner ads.
Before you can become a certified YouTube Partner, there are some important rules and requirements to meet. Besides following YouTube’s advertising guidelines, you need to accumulate at least 4,000 watch hours on your channel within the past year and have at least 1,000 subscribers.
There isn’t a set timeline or specific process to reach these 4,000 hours. For example, you could gain 100 hours from each of 40 videos, or mix and match different videos to reach that total.
For context, the popular hit Gangnam Style took about five months to reach 1 billion views. In contrast, Despacito achieved this milestone much faster, reaching a billion views in just 97 days.
Once you’ve met the 4,000-hour threshold and become a YouTube Partner, you can start earning from ads. However, relying solely on ad revenue isn’t always enough—there are additional ways to boost your income.
Live streaming is another effective way to monetize your channel. Fans enjoy the real-time interaction, and features like super chat and super stickers enable viewers, especially YouTube Premium subscribers, to purchase highlighted messages or stickers that appear at the top of your chat feed. This presents another income stream aside from ad earnings.
If you have a dedicated fan base, crowdfunding platforms can be a powerful way to fund your content. Platforms like Patreon make it easier for fans to subscribe for as little as a dollar and receive exclusive rewards, helping you finance new videos.
Tipeee is another service that allows for both recurring and one-time donations, benefiting both nonprofit and for-profit creators. As long as your content remains engaging, valuable, or entertaining, viewers might be willing to support you generously. Understanding your audience demographics is crucial when asking for donations.
For those still growing their channel, mastering YouTube SEO is essential. Conduct keyword research tailored to what viewers search for on YouTube—such as tutorials, reviews, or funny videos—and incorporate high-value keywords into your video titles, descriptions, and tags.
After uploading, monitor your YouTube “Traffic Source: YouTube search” report to see what keywords are leading viewers to your content. Common search terms include how-to guides, reviews, tutorials, and humorous videos.
There are five key factors influencing a video’s ranking on YouTube:
– Number of comments
– Subscribers gained after watching
– Thumbs up versus thumbs down ratio
– Video length
– Click-through rate on search results
Optimizing for these factors can significantly improve your video’s visibility and help grow your channel.
Source: tagseoblog.com
Understanding the fundamentals of SEO—like creating high-quality content and earning backlinks from reputable channels—remains essential for improving your YouTube search rankings. As competition intensifies, it’s worth noting that ranking on the first pages of Google for highly competitive keywords is becoming increasingly challenging. YouTube sees an extraordinary volume of uploads every minute—more than all other video platforms combined—making SEO a long-term game. Although it’s not an overnight fix, implementing effective strategies can significantly speed up your growth.
One advantage of YouTube is how accessible it is to form partnerships and collaborations with others. Collaborating with well-known YouTubers by featuring each other’s channels can dramatically expand your audience. When choosing partners, aim for influencers whose audience aligns with or exceeds yours in size. To find potential collaborators, search for similar channels directly on YouTube or use Google with phrases like “your keyword” + “collaborate” to uncover opportunities. Additionally, exchanging shout-outs with other popular channels can be mutually beneficial, helping you attract viewers who might not have discovered your channel otherwise.
Optimize your YouTube strategy by developing a marketing funnel tailored for sales. Focus on selecting a niche, becoming a YouTube partner, and planning your funnel accordingly. You can extend your reach beyond YouTube by integrating it with a blog, collecting email addresses, and promoting products directly to your fan base. For instance, if you write a blog post reviewing an affiliate product, create a YouTube video related to that post and embed it. Redirect viewers from YouTube to your blog and affiliate links to generate commissions while building your readership. You might also consider linking your channel to an e-commerce platform like Shopify to sell branded merchandise. There are many successful YouTube merch stores serving as inspiration.
The Amazon Influencer program is gaining popularity among content creators. This program allows you to capitalize on your social media presence—particularly YouTube—by recommending products and earning affiliate commissions, typically around 8-10%. Once accepted, you can review and promote products with direct links to Amazon, earning a share of the sales. Additionally, Amazon provides options for influencers to promote their own merchandise, earning full profit on those sales. You can leverage Amazon’s affiliate network without fulfilling orders yourself, but note that approval depends on your social media followings and engagement metrics.
Finally, consider the benefits of YouTube Red—now called YouTube Premium—which offers subscribers an ad-free viewing experience for $9.99 per month. Subscribing to YouTube Premium can provide additional revenue streams and improve viewer engagement as more users seek uninterrupted content.
Even if you don’t run ads on your YouTube videos, creators can still earn revenue — receiving approximately 55% of the earnings based on the amount of watch time their videos generate. There are mixed opinions about whether subscribing to YouTube Red (now YouTube Premium) helps increase or decrease CPM rates.
Source: youtube.com
Having a YouTube Red or Premium subscription affects your watch time metrics, so it’s important to monitor your analytics to see how viewers are engaging with your content.
How much money can you realistically earn on YouTube? The answer varies widely depending on your approach. You can maximize your earnings through ad revenue, affiliate marketing, and sponsored placements in your videos. YouTube offers various monetization methods, including CPM (cost per thousand views), CPV (cost per view), and CPC (cost per click). For example, a typical YouTuber might earn around $7.60 per 1,000 views through ad revenue.
According to Google’s policies, creators receive 55% of the ad revenue, with Google retaining the remaining 45%. If you incorporate affiliate marketing into your channel, your earnings depend on the commissions from sales or leads generated through your links. These commissions vary but ultimately depend on the number of conversions and sales you can drive. You can also make money by selling sponsored product placements. YouTube is generally favorable towards sponsorships, as brands are willing to pay for mentions or detailed product reviews—especially if you have a dedicated following. Brands typically pay between $20 and $50 per thousand views on your videos, so a video with millions of views could earn you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
How much money do YouTubers generally make? For many creators, the earnings are minimal or nonexistent, while top personalities can rake in millions annually. As ad revenue rates fluctuate, making money from YouTube has become more challenging. The earnings per view can range from as low as $0.35 up to $5, but a conservative estimate would be around $1 per 1,000 views.
The profitability of your channel depends heavily on your niche and how many viewers you attract. Channels focusing on popular topics like listicles, news, celebrity gossip, beauty, or viral fails tend to generate significant revenue from their large audiences. There are online tools, such as revenue calculators, that help estimate potential earnings based on your video views and engagement levels.
Once your channel reaches a balance of $100 in earnings, YouTube will issue your payout. Additionally, there is a new opportunity for earning through a pay-per-subscriber model, with YouTube launching subscription options for channel supporters, especially those with a substantial follower base.
What makes a YouTube channel successful? Let’s look at some key components, illustrated by my own YouTube channel as an example.
First, effective channel art plays a significant role in attracting viewers. Strong visual branding helps set the tone for your content and makes your channel more recognizable.
At the top of your channel, there’s a banner space perfect for grabbing attention with a call-to-action or eye-catching design. I recommend using an image that features your face, your logo, and relevant text to give viewers a quick sense of what your channel is about and what they can expect from engaging with you. You can also include an image that links directly to your website, encouraging viewers to explore more.
A well-designed channel art with a clear call-to-action can motivate viewers to take the next step, whether it’s subscribing, visiting your website, or following your other social media pages. Consider adding visual cues or text that guide viewers on what to do next, making it easy for them to connect with you further.
In this example, I included links to my free blogging masterclass, TikTok profile, and Instagram account, making it straightforward for viewers to find and follow me across platforms.
Call To Action Within The Channel Art
This space is ideal for prompting viewers to act — whether it’s clicking a link, subscribing, or visiting your website. Make it clear and compelling. For example, I have links to my free masterclass, TikTok, and Instagram accounts, guiding viewers to connect with me on multiple platforms.
Profile Picture
Your profile picture is always visible in the bottom left corner beneath each of your videos. Choose a recent, clear image, ideally smiling, to make a friendly and welcoming impression. Personal photos work well, especially if they convey positivity and approachability.
YouTube Channel Name
In my case, I use my personal name as the channel name, but it can really be anything relevant to your niche or content. The key is that it clearly represents what your channel is about so viewers can easily identify and remember it.
Channel Trailer
A channel trailer is a short video that plays automatically when viewers arrive at your YouTube homepage. Make sure this video captures attention quickly, is engaging, and provides a brief overview of what to expect from your channel. The first few seconds are critical—it’s your chance to make a strong first impression. Think of it as a trailer for a movie: tease the content to come and give viewers a reason to stay. Including a voiceover is optional, but ensure your visuals and messaging align to tell a cohesive story.
Channel Trailer CTA and Description
This is an ideal spot to include a call-to-action or provide a brief description to guide new visitors on what they can find on your channel. Use clear and inviting language to encourage viewers to subscribe, follow links, or engage further with your content.
Your first impression is crucial to providing value to your visitors. I often include a call-to-action encouraging people to join my free blogging masterclass. This description explains what the video covers and what benefits viewers will gain from watching it.
Recent Uploads
This section highlights your latest videos. It’s an ideal spot to showcase fresh content and encourage viewers to explore more of your work. You can also feature playlists here, making it easier for viewers to access related videos and stay engaged with your channel.
FAQs on Making Money with YouTube
If ad revenue isn’t enough, there are other effective ways to monetize your channel. You can incorporate affiliate links in your video descriptions to recommend products and earn commissions from sales. Selling merchandise, digital products, online courses, and eBooks are also excellent income streams. Building a loyal audience can lead to sponsorship opportunities with brands, and if you’re an expert in your niche, offering coaching or consulting services is another profitable option.
Making money on YouTube requires effort, and it can be quite challenging. To join the YouTube Partner Program, you need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year. Once accepted, your earnings depend on views and ad performance, so generating consistent traffic is essential. If your channel hasn’t yet gained millions of views, affiliate marketing can be a good alternative—reviewing products or creating tutorials with affiliate links can bring substantial commissions. Combining this with a blog can help you promote products across platforms and increase your income.
The value of 1,000 views varies based on several factors, including your niche, viewer engagement with ads, and the country you’re in. Advertisers bid on placements using Google AdWords, choosing strategies based on either cost per view (CPV) or cost per click (CPC). Typically, earning around $0.75 to $1.00 per 1,000 views with banner ads is common, while pre-roll ads can generate about $6-$7 per 1,000 views if viewers click on them.
You need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours over the past year to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program. Additionally, you must have an active Google AdSense account. Once accepted, you can enable monetization and choose your ad settings for your videos.
Top YouTube creators earn millions annually through channel monetization. In 2019, the highest-paid YouTubers were: Ryan Kaji with $26 million, Dude Perfect with $20 million, Anastasia Radzinskaya at $18 million, Rhett and Link earning $17.5 million, Jeffree Star with $17 million, Preston with $14 million, PewDiePie and Markiplier both earning $13 million, and DanTDM with $12 million.
The best strategy involves creating consistent content around a specific theme, such as comedy, education, reviews, or vlogs. YouTube places ads at certain points in your videos and pays you based on viewer engagement. The more subscribers, views, and interactions your videos generate, the higher your earning potential from ads. Building a dedicated audience and delivering high-quality content is key to maximizing revenue.
YouTube affiliate marketing or promoting your own products can be profitable, especially if you consistently upload content and actively interact with your viewers, which will help you earn money.
There are several possible reasons. First, your viewers might not be watching all the ads that YouTube displays on your videos. Second, your content might not be engaging enough to encourage viewers to watch the ads. Finally, your videos could have limited opportunities for monetization due to their specific theme or subject matter.
At a minimum, you’ll need a computer and a quality webcam. To improve audio clarity, consider purchasing a good microphone. Using a high-quality camera for filming is highly recommended, and proper lighting is essential to ensure you are clearly visible in your videos.
A great starting point is this list of top video editing tools. Additionally, YouTube Studio, developed by Google, allows you to manage your channel comprehensively. You can edit videos, add intros and outros, adjust playback speed, change background music, and more. To make continuous edits later, it’s best to keep a copy of your original raw files.
No. Using copyrighted music can lead to your videos being taken down and may also restrict future monetization rights. Fortunately, there are many legal alternatives for music on YouTube, so it’s best to use royalty-free or licensed tracks to avoid copyright issues.
Your video titles should reflect the content you want to showcase. Incorporate relevant keywords for SEO purposes, which can help your videos appear higher in search results. This increases the likelihood of people finding your channel when they search for related topics and can lead to increased traffic.
Starting a YouTube channel is free. There’s no initial cost involved — so why not give it a try?
There are many factors, but most successful YouTubers agree that consistency, producing high-quality content, and engaging with your audience are crucial. Researching topics that interest you will enriсh your videos with more detail and accuracy. Encouraging viewers to comment and subscribe also helps boost your channel’s growth and visibility.
Yes. Knowing the best times to post on YouTube is vital for expanding your reach. Uploading content at optimal times maximizes viewer engagement and helps your videos perform better.
That’s it. Monetizing on YouTube is certainly achievable, but relying solely on YouTube for income is challenging. It’s essential to have an owned platform, such as a blog, to diversify your traffic sources. One advantage is that YouTube SEO is still less competitive than organic search engine optimization. If you start now, you will position yourself advantageously before competition intensifies in the future. My recommendation is to begin a blog with a comprehensive marketing funnel. Use YouTube as a supplementary method to grow your email list and generate affiliate income. The most effective strategy is to partner your blog, hosted on Bluehost, with your YouTube channel.
Here’s how to get started:
- Visit Bluehost.com and click on “Get Started”.
- Select a hosting plan (the cheapest option at $2.95/month with my link).
- Register your website’s domain name or choose one you already own.
- Fill in your account, select your plan, and provide billing details.
- You may opt to skip add-ons like Sitelock Security and Codeguard Basic.
- Click Submit, and you’re ready to create your website!
Use these tips to launch your YouTube channel successfully and grow your audience this year. For more ideas on monetizing with videos, check out my reviews of top video editing software and my guide to selling online courses.